The Return of the Newspaper

Donald Trump's victory in the 2016 US presidential election did not usher in a new era of social media, or spell the demise of the traditional press. In the past year, newspapers staged a remarkable recovery by doing what they do best: reporting thoroughly and accurately on the most important stories of the day.

BANGKOK – Social media are no longer the new kid on the block, but in 2016, platforms like Twitter and Facebook looked poised to nudge traditional newspapers into obsolescence. Following President Donald Trump’s victory in the United States, it seemed that the mainstream media had not only lost the plot, but had also lost their relevance.

Trump led the multi-pronged attack on traditional news media, and newspapers in particular. But many members of the press were also quick to declare that their own character limit had been reached. Accused of being elitist and out of sync with readers, newspapers’ reactions ranged from self-flagellation to repentance for the election result. Flummoxed by the clobbering from all sides, pundits who could not get the Trump election right prophesied that declining sales, falling readership, and flagging credibility heralded the demise of the newspaper, as we have known it.

But more than one year later, it is clear that Trump’s victory did not mean any such thing. On the contrary, his ascendancy has made the newspaper business more relevant than ever. The most remarkable media story of 2017 may have been how Trump inadvertently made newspapers great again.

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Bajinder Pal Singh says Trump has made newspapers great again, despite his constant rants disparaging news outlets that are critical of his presidency. In fact all major US newspapers saw an unprecedented surge - 50% upwards - in subscriptions shortly after Trump's election. HBO comic John Oliver, who warned against "fake facts" that circulated on social media during the campaign had also urged viewers to "support actual journalism." Despite distrust in the mainstream media, and the role that social media had played in recent years, serious, solid journalism has not fallen from grace with readers, who are willing to pay for getting themselves properly informed. Thanks to investigative teams, "long-form stories, and data-driven journalism" many scandals broke the news - from Harvey Weinstein, the Paradise Papers, possible collusion between Trump's campaign and Russian operatives etc. Last November social media firms took a beating in Congress. Facebook, Twitter, Google and others were bashed for their slow response to evidence that Russia was using their advertising platforms and seeking to manipulate the 2016 election. Subsequently the Federal Election Commission moved to tighten regulations and demand full transparency for the money behind Internet and digital ads. In the past social media companies were not aware of their responsibility for the quality and veracity of the information they pass on to Americans. The author says, "for all their power and potential," the management "never developed the journalistic capacities needed to displace traditional news media." During the controversial campaign in 2016 many gullible users consumed "fake news" and propaganda, which had an impact on their decision-making. Only in the wake of Trump's election, did the shortcomings of social media companies become known. Ever since "the pendulum has changed direction." Apart from conscientious journalism the society needs to foster a sense of civic responsibility, with parents and teachers being held accountable for the upbringing and education of the vulnerable groups of the society - children and teenagers. An open democracy can not totally forbid "fake news" and propaganda, but an enlightened public could withstand the risk of being duped.

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